Noise Monitor System Ok`d For Airport

A proposal for a sophisticated system to monitor aircraft noise at Palm Beach International Airport to be installed by the end of August received unanimous approval from county commissioners Thursday.

The system will be able to measure the noise output of each aircraft taking off or landing at PBIA, said Dr. Louis Cohn of Vanderbilt University, one of the county`s airport noise consulting team members. It also will identify specific aircraft exceeding legal noise levels.

It is expected to cost between $300,000 and $350,000 to install and about 10 percent of the installation cost to operate it each year, said acting Airports Diretor Bruce Pelly.

The system will be the 25th to be installed in an American airport and the first to be installed in the Southeast, said Dr. Cliff Bragdon of Georgia Tech, head of the noise team.

The monitoring program has been one of the least controversial parts of PBIA`s comprehensive noise abatement program.

Other portions, such as a limited curfew of all but the quietest jet aircraft and noise-related fees for takeoffs and landings have been approved as ordinances, but will not go into effect until next summer.

Both those ordinances have been sharply criticized by the county`s tourism industry and the airlines, with some airlines indicating they are considering a legal challenge once the ordinances become effective.